There’s something magical about summer — that time when the warm sun shines until late in the day, large blooms dot the landscape and animals scamper about. The weather warms as temperatures creep higher, relying on thunderstorms to clear excess humidity. Birds frolic and play. Bees and butterflies flutter about. Summer flowers bloom and trees fill out with a complete display of green leaves.

It’s easy to see the changes that take place in Nature as the seasons progress. Did you know that these changes also take place within you?

Key Tips for Summer Heart Health:

1. Smile from your Heart. Look in the mirror and smile. Now do it again, and really give yourself a genuine smile—one that makes your whole body tingle. Now that you know what that feels like, practice it on everyone that you see.
2. Be peaceful. Carve some time out of your day to meditate, sit peacefully, or simply be in Nature. Let this peaceful feeling wash over you and stay with you throughout your day.
3. Listen and trust your intuition. You were born with a powerful gift—the ability to self-heal. Tap into this gift by developing your intuition. Begin to listen to your body. What messages is it sending you?
4. Eat seasonal foods. An abundance of fruits and vegetables are in season, from juicy watermelon and sweet berries to crunchy peppers and pungent garlic. Eating in-season foods keeps your body in tune with Nature. Eat lighter foods that are cooling in nature, such as watermelon, plum tomatoes, broccoli, and broccoli rabe. You can also add mangoes, cucumbers, and avocados to your dishes.